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How to Get a Certificate of Good Standing in California

California calls it the Certificate of Status and charges $5. Here is how to order it and what must be current first.

At a glance

Document name
Certificate of Status
State fee
$5
Online ordering
Yes
Typical turnaround
Within minutes online
Issuing office
California SOS ↗

How to order it

  1. Clear any past-due filings first. The California SOS will not issue a certificate while you have unpaid tax or an unfiled report. The state-specific requirements are in the points below.
  2. Order it online. Search your LLC in the California portal, request the certificate, and download it. Link in the table above.
  3. Pay the $5 fee. Pay by card at checkout. A small card surcharge usually applies.
  4. Use it inside the recipient's window. The certificate has no state expiration, but banks and other states usually want one dated within the last 30 to 90 days. Order it close to when you need it.
Full ordering details for California

California issues a "Certificate of Status" through the Secretary of State at $5 online via the bizfile portal at bizfileOnline.sos.ca.gov. The certificate certifies the entity status (active/good standing, suspended, dissolved, cancelled, etc.). For corporations, LLCs, and limited partnerships, certificates are available within minutes online. In-person drop-off at 1500 11th Street, Sacramento adds a $10 special handling fee but gets prioritized. Mail filings send to Secretary of State, Certification and Records, P.O. Box 944260, Sacramento CA 94244-2600. The Certificate of Status is separate from FTB tax status - both must be in good standing.

Processing and expedited tiers: Within minutes online; same-day in-person ($10 special handling); ~5 business days mail

Important to know about California

  • California has dual compliance: the Secretary of State issues the Certificate of Status, but the LLC must also be in good standing with the Franchise Tax Board (FTB). An "FTB Suspended" or "FTB Forfeited" status will block issuance.
  • Many third-party guides cite incorrect fees - some say $50 (outdated), some say $20. The official current fee per the CA Secretary of State is $5 online, $5 mail, or $15 in-person (the $10 in-person upcharge is a special handling fee).
  • California requires the $800 minimum annual franchise tax to be paid before the FTB will clear your status. New LLCs formed in 2024 or later owe the $800 in their first year (the AB 85 first-year exemption expired Dec 31, 2023).
  • A Statement of Information must be on file before a Certificate of Status will be issued ($20, due within 90 days of formation and every 2 years thereafter).

Ordering this to register in another state?

A certificate of good standing is what a new state asks for when you register your California LLC to do business there. Start with the guide for where you are expanding.

California foreign LLC guide · Foreign qualification by state

Related guides

This page provides general information based on publicly available California Secretary of State requirements. It is not legal advice. Names, fees, and procedures can change. Verify with the California SOS before ordering.